Before his NFL debut with the Los Angeles Rams, rookie Ty Simpson received advice from his father that felt familiar. “My dad just talked to me like I was four years old again,” Simpson shared. His father, Jason, reminded him to “catch every snap, make the easy ones easy, go do what you love, and I love you.” Simpson took these words to heart.
Facing the Kansas City Chiefs, Simpson excelled. He completed 21 out of 25 passes, totaling 190 yards in three quarters. He threw two touchdown passes and maintained a high efficiency, earning a 125.0 passer rating. Coach Sean McVay praised Simpson’s performance, noting his good command and positive demeanor.
“I just felt like he was in good command and it was cool to see a good smile on his face.” – Coach Sean McVay
The preseason often presents misleading insights, but Simpson’s performance stood out. While preseason stars may not always shine during the regular season, the Rams seem confident in Simpson’s potential. Despite previous draft criticisms about his arm strength and pressure handling, the Rams saw promise in Simpson, selecting him in the first round.
The Rams hope Simpson can eventually succeed 38-year-old Matthew Stafford when he retires. Stafford, the reigning MVP, recently secured a contract extension, but Simpson’s debut shows he could be an asset to the team in the long term.
Coach McVay acknowledged a learning moment during the game: a third-down play where Simpson could have made better use of the pocket. These experiences will be crucial for Simpson as he competes for the backup role with Stetson Bennett.
“There was one situation that will be a great learning opportunity on third down where they played a man coverage and [Simpson] threw it to the flat [instead of downfield]. I have to see it, but I think the pocket might have allowed him to progress.” – Coach Sean McVay
Simpson appreciated the trust McVay showed by allowing him to lead a postgame breakdown with the team. As Simpson continues to receive supportive messages from his father, including Bible verses for inspiration, he shows confidence and drive to continue improving and competing at a high level.
Leave a Reply